Finger Lakes REgion

UNcorked Potential

The purpose of this documentary is to bring light to the world of wine for an audience that may not be very familiar with it, and more specifically to the Finger Lakes wine region of upstate New York. Aided by an enthusiastic and knowledgable host, viewers will embark on a journey through the winemaking process of Finger Lakes wines, following talented and creative winemakers, as well as grapes on their journey from vine to bottle, and then experience the culture of the Finger Lakes around the consumption of the bottle with key members of the community representing the vast and intriguing talent of upstate New York’s culture. Through the visionary eye of Darin Quan (Director of Photography) and under the directorial guidance of Jack Kauffman, viewers will meet and interact with great Finger Lakes talent of the wine world and enthusiastic community members. What’s more, the Finger Lakes wine region has been consistently listed as one of the best and most beautiful wine regions in the United States, yet still exists rather unknown to the average consumer.

Director and Host Statement

My name is Jack Kauffman (Certified Sommelier appointed by the Court of Master Sommeliers) and I’m making this film because of my pure love of the art of winemaking and to bring light to the wonderful wine region of upstate New York; the beautiful and little known Finger Lakes. If you value pure craftsmanship, innovative new thinking, and a sense of adventure I invite to sign up for updates and stay tuned for the film's release.

The Finger Lakes wine region is truly as diverse and as fascinating as a wine region gets, from the German staple riesling thriving in the cold climate to the exciting and new experimentation of multi-varietal rosés, mead wines, and the use of local varieties only known to this region.

Join me, on an epic journey through America’s great northeastern wine country, as I explore new and creative wine making techniques, settle into the unique and close knit culture, discover the rising stars of the wine world to come, and take you on a personal tour of some of the best the Finger Lakes has to offer, where the drinking is easy, life is good, and the company is best.

Director/Host

Director of Photography

Sound Artist

Production Assistant

Behind-The-Scenes

Analyzing and finalizing the plan for day one of the production, at The SugarHill bed and breakfast, where the crew stayed during production.

Conducting an interview at Hunt Country Vineyards with owner Art Hunt.

Setting up a scene at Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard.

Production assistant Alex Oliveira operates the boom pole while Bruce Murray of Boundary Breaks readies himself for an interview.

The host conducting an interview over outstanding wine and food at Cebo. restaurant in Geneva, New York.

Here a staff member of Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyards (left) and the director/host listen to suggestions from the Director of Photography before beginning an interview. This is a screen grab coming out of the Sony a7S II with a Canon 17-40mm mounted via a Metabones adaptor.

Screen grab from our sunrise flight in Cessna 172 Skyhawk to get an aerial vantage over the Finger Lakes region.

Setting up the scene in Cebo. restaurant on Linden Street, Geneva, New York.